Odisha's task force sub-panel to recommend cap on iron ore output

Move comes in the backdrop of sharp drop in production and offtake of iron ore last fiscal due to closure of scores of mines

The Odisha government has decided to set up a sub-committee within the state level task force on steel & mines to recommend production limit for iron ore in 2015-16 from Joda and Koira, the two most prolific iron ore producing sectors in the state.

The move comes in the backdrop of sharp drop in production and offtake of iron ore in the last fiscal due to closure of scores of mines because of lack of statutory clearances and court order.

In 2014-15, iron ore production was capped at 44 million tonne (mnt) for Joda and 13 mnt for Koira. But actual despatch was 17.2 mnt from Joda and 12 mnt from Koira circle.

“The sub-committee will consist of officials drawn from the departments of steel & mines and forest & environment and the Odisha State Pollution Control Board. The committee will submit its report to the government in 15-20 days. We hope some mines will reopen after the enforcement of Mines and Minerals- Development & Regulation- (MMDR) Amendment Act,” said Deepak Mohanty, director (mines), emerging from a task force meeting chaired by chief secretary G C Pati.

The sub-committee will suggest a realistic cap on ore production keeping in view the environment concerns and available infrastructure.

The decision to cap iron ore output was taken initially in May 2012 following concerns over rampant extraction of ore and its adverse impact on the environment. The decision was guided by the Supreme Court order that had raised grave concern over the environmental damage caused by iron ore mining in Karnataka’s Bellary region.

The M B Shah Commission, constituted by the Centre to investigate illegal mining activities, had also urged the Odisha government to impose curbs on iron ore output to ensure that the finite resource is left for posterity.

In order to beef up its apparatus to check illegal mining, the government has decided to augment the state level enforcement squad. Presently, there are three teams comprising police officials and officers from the forest and mining departments. One more team will be constituted consisting of inspector of police, sub-inspector of police, forest ranger and eight constables .

Separately, DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) Survey will be taken up in respect of the remaining 148 iron and manganese ore mines.

“The survey will be done as per the guidelines of the M B Shah Commission. The leaseholders will bear the cost of the survey. The exercise is expected to be completed in six to seven months,” said Mohanty. The field survey will be taken up by Odisha Space Applications Centre (ORSAC).

The survey work that involves digitization of lease boundaries has been completed for 39 iron and manganese ore mines.